I have repeatedly written about the joys of slow travel. Traveling slowly can be accompanied in various ways -trains and road trips immediately come to mind. When you visit a new location and want to immerse yourself in its unique qualities, consider walking. Stroll around and indulge yourself in the scenery and landscape. Walking vacations are an altogether different experience than other forms of travel. You rely on yourself, take in the sights and explore at your own pace. You will see vistas and attractions that are easy to miss in a more typical journey. Lace up your hiking boots and let’s take a look!
An excellent place to start is the southeast coast of England. Your itinerary can include both the tourist hotspots as well as remote destinations. Stonehenge is one of the best-known sites in the country and is on the must-see locations of many tourists. One of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in the world. This Unesco World Site is architecturally sophisticated and a must for those who enjoy ancient history. Beware though-it is also enormously popular and you will need to prepare yourself for large crowds. I speak from experience-it swarms with tourists-expect it.
After the noise and hustle of Stonehenge, head for Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is 95 miles long and located between Dorset and East Devon. This is not a mountainous trek and quite enjoyable for those who love nature. Watch out for the green woodpeckers and keep your camera charged to see the Golden Cap, the tallest cliff on the southern coast. You will also want to see the Durdle Door, a natural limestone arc over the sea caused by millions of years of erosion. The Fossil Forest is another must-see attraction- in fact, there are amazing sites everywhere.
There are many other locales suitable for walking vacations and I will examine some of them in future posts!
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